Multisectoral groups, including the academe and the Church, launched the Philippine Truth Commission on Wednesday, May 27, to investigate and document drug war killings in the Philippines.
The Philippine Truth and Reconciliation Commission — or simply the Truth Commission — is civilian-led and independent from the Philippine government. This was launched nearly 10 years since former president Rodrigo Duterte waged his war on drugs that killed nearly 30,000 people, based on tallies of several human rights groups.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David, who helped victims Duterte’s war on drugs, sits as the commission’s adviser. Former International Criminal Court (ICC) judge Raul Pangalangan, meanwhile, has been named as the body’s chairperson.
“The Truth Commission was created to ensure that the stories of victims, survivors, and families are heard, verified, and preserved. This is not about replacing the courts or assigning guilt. It is about building a credible truth record that can guide accountability, healing, reform, and the prevention of future violence,” Pangalangan said.
The former judge will be joined by the following experts as commissioners:
